TRACY BAXTER REPORTS: Clear snow off the car before hitting the road

Tuesday

Feb 5, 2013 at 2:00 AM

It's the cold, hard truth for all of us snow haters. We take no stock in the "spring is right around the corner" prediction from groundhog prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil. We don't need a calendar or a groundhog to tell us we're sure to be dealing with more wintry conditions before we catch sight of the first robin.

Tracy Baxter

It's the cold, hard truth for all of us snow haters. We take no stock in the "spring is right around the corner" prediction from groundhog prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil. We don't need a calendar or a groundhog to tell us we're sure to be dealing with more wintry conditions before we catch sight of the first robin.

It's not just the thought of more white-knuckle driving on icy, snowy roads that leaves many of us cold.

Winter driving danger can come a day or two after we get dumped on. Since I've had a few recent close encounters with flying chunks of ice and snow, allow me to make the following request: After our next storm, please remove the snow before you go.

Driving behind a car or truck covered with accumulated ice and snow has the potential to produce cold-weather road rage.

For starters, snow blowing off the roof of a fast-moving vehicle can block your vision — or worse. Driving skills get put to the test when you have to slam on the brakes or swerve to avoid airborne missiles that came loose from cars and trucks speeding down the highway.

If you're lucky, you and your car escape unscathed. If not, you could be looking at serious vehicle damage and a potentially hefty repair bill.

In some cases, drivers and their passengers have gotten badly hurt or killed.

After the offender continues on his or her merry way, those left with cracked windshields, busted rear-view mirrors and frayed nerves say there ought to be a law.

Even if you like the idea of a provision that specifically applies to vehicle snow removal, those who have been pushing for an amendment to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law continue to spin their wheels. Any "white rage" generated from victims of ice and snow projectiles will most likely melt away again this year.

A few states — neighboring New Jersey among them — do have snow removal requirements on the books that target any vehicle with a "dangerous accumulation" of snow.

Trouble is, large commercial vehicles are among the biggest culprits. We're told finding places where snow and ice can be safely removed from their rooftops can be difficult.

Some on the receiving end of vehicular snowballs go on the offensive. The rooftop mess you ignored could affect someone willing to respond to your negligence. Victims have been known to track down drivers of snow-capped cars and trucks and pursue compensation for damages.

We're all in a hurry. Unfortunately, some of us do the bare minimum when it comes to clearing off snow and scraping windshields before heading off to battle the elements.

By taking an extra minute or two to clean up, you could be preventing a potentially deadly accident this winter.

We shouldn't need to legislate common courtesy.

Reach Tracy Baxter at tbaxter@hvc.rr.com and see his NewsWatch program and online blog at recordonline.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.